Our Blog
The Mashpi Amagusa Reserve Saved By Donations
The Basantes family now owns 62-hectares of their precious Mashpi Amagusa Reserve thanks to kind donors.
Our Basic Birdwatching Kit: For Beginners and Beyond
We’re long past calling ourselves beginner birdwatchers, though we still hesitate to say we’re professionals. Yet when I count how many years we've been doing this seriously, I was surprised. Birding became more than a passing interest when we lived in Quito, Ecuador,...
The Mashpi Amagusa Reserve Saved By Donations
The Basantes family now owns 62-hectares of their precious Mashpi Amagusa Reserve thanks to kind donors.
Our Basic Birdwatching Kit: For Beginners and Beyond
We’re long past calling ourselves beginner birdwatchers, though we still hesitate to say we’re professionals. Yet when I count how many years we've been doing this seriously, I was surprised. Birding became more than a passing interest when we lived in Quito, Ecuador,...
Chasing Snow Geese: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
We respectfully acknowledge that the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuges sits on the ancestral lands of the Nisenan, Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok/Me-Wuk, and Patwin Wintun peoples. These communities have cared for and sustained this region for countless...
South America in Uncertain Times: A Travel Safety Guide
On 3 January 2026, U.S. Military Forces raided Venezuela's capital city, Caracas, and captured the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro. This attack, while a complete surprise, followed months of force movements into the area and extensive news coverage of U.S....
Leymebamba, Peru: What to Know Before You Go
Anyone interested in the rich, cultural history of the Chachapoyas region will likely find themselves in Leymebamba, Peru. Though most will stop for only a couple of hours to visit the local museum and maybe catch a bite to eat. We want to encourage visitors to stop...
Do You Need Travel Insurance for Your Next Trip to South America?
Scott takes a closer look at travel insurance options for destinations in South America, including Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. He follows up with three recommendations for companies that we partner with - because if you decide to purchase travel insurance, we want...
Border Crossing from Colombia into Ecuador
While on our big trip from Bogotá to Lima, we heard about lots of potential problems crossing the border from Colombia into Ecuador. It was just after some of the worst waves of Venezuelans attempting to cross the very same border and there were rumors of long lines...
Rooted at La Dicha: A Regenerative Journey in Cali, Colombia
Connecting with nature, community, and ancestral wisdom in Colombia From the moment I arrived in Cali, I was embraced by its warm energy and the richness of its cuisine, shaped by the traditions of Colombia’s Pacific region. That’s where I met Lina Bautista, a...
Celebrate the Fiestas de Quito with Local Friends
The Fiestas de Quito always felt a little hard to enjoy when we lived in Ecuador’s capital. It was a deeply local celebration — the kind where every neighborhood threw its own party, and no one was promoting it to outsiders, let alone tourists. Still, one year stands...
Altitude Sickness Relief That Actually Worked For Me
If you've traveled to high altitude destinations, like Quito, Ecuador or La Paz, Bolivia, you've probably experienced some degree of altitude sickness. I first experienced it in 2011 in Cusco, Peru. We got off the plane and I was hurting immediately with flu-like...